Flemish drummer Dirk Verbeuren and his band Megadeth are at the top of the Billboard 200, the most important album chart in the United States. ‘Dirk has a rock-solid reputation. We can be proud that one of the best metal drummers in the world is a Belgian,’ says Andries Beckers, presenter and metal expert at VRT radio station Studio Brussel
According to the Billboard 200 the best-selling album in the United States is currently “Megadeth” by the thrash metal band of the same name. For Verbeuren the album is the culmination of a career spanning 40 years. The band is set to call it quits this year after a farewell tour.
Drummer Dirk Verbeuren, who hails from Wuustwezel in Antwerp Province, has been part of the group for 10 years. He's seen as a huge Flemish talent.
In his teens, Verbeuren moved to France, eventually ending up in the US as a professional drummer. ‘He was already a huge talent back then,’ says Studio Brussel presenter and metal expert Andries Beckers. ‘He started out with smaller metal bands but for bigger names quickly became a sought-after session musician.’
Around 2010, he became the regular drummer for the Swedish melodic death metal band Soilwork. ‘That's where he started to stand out as a regular member of a sub-top band. When Megadeth was looking for a new drummer in 2016, they quickly ended up at Verbeuren’s door.’
A boyhood dream come true, according to his family. ‘One of the first concerts he attended in Paris at the age of 16 o 17 was one with Megadeth. After that, he was determined to become a drummer.’
In the shadow of Metallica
Verbeuren didn't end up in just any thrash metal band. Megadeth is one of the world's top bands in the metal genre. However, among the general public, it is often overshadowed by that other giant: Metallica.
There is an historical reason for this: frontman Dave Mustaine was one of the original Metallica members but was dismissed just before their big breakthrough.
‘He always took that sacking very personally,’ explains Beckers. ‘He fuelled his subsequent career with that hatred and frustration. Although he sold millions of records, he continued to complain that he wasn't Metallica. He always felt second best.’
Excellent reputation
That need to prove himself made Mustaine a difficult person to work with. That's precisely why in 2016 Verbeuren was the perfect candidate. ‘The frontman is a very sensitive person. Thanks to his years of experience, Verbeuren knew the ropes. He was the perfect musician to hold his own in the unpredictable band that Megadeth is.’
In any case, he has a very good reputation. ‘He is without a doubt one of the best metal drummers in the world. The fact that we have a compatriot there in that position is unique and something we can be proud of.’
Number 1 at last
Although Megadeth never managed to steal or match Metallica's top spot, the band is a fixture in the genre and therefore also at festivals like Graspop. Now that they are on their farewell tour and their album is being well received, it seems that they have come full circle.
Their latest album is doing well for several reasons. ‘It is of higher quality than their previous work, but sentiment also plays a role,’ says Beckers. ‘Fans realise that this is the end and want to support the band one last time.’
That momentum has now catapulted the band to number one in the Billboard 200 for the first time in 40 years. The album “Megadeth” is also number one in Australia, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland.
‘There is great symbolism here. People used to laugh at Mustaine's frustrations, but now that he's leaving, he can finally say: we're number one!’